Saints related to Patron-of-rape-victims

After promising to always remain a virgin for the love of Christ, St. Agnes rejected a marriage offer, enraging her suitors. She was dragged before the courts where condemned and ordered to be raped, but her purity was miraculously protected and God struck those who attempted to harm her. She was subsequently beheaded and died a virgin and martyr.

St. Dymphna was a seventh century Irish virgin martyr. She was 15 (in about 620) when she lost her life spurning the incestuous advances of her father who insisted on marrying her to replace her deceased mother. St. Dymphna is the patroness of those with mental and neurological afflictions.

When St. Joan of Arc was 16, heavenly voices revealed to her that God wanted her to save France. She courageously led French forces to a number of victories over the English in the Hundred Years War. Eventually, the English took her prisoner and tried her for heresy. She was convicted on false evidence and burned as a heretic. It wasn't until 500 years after her death that she was finally canonized.

St. Maria Goretti was born Oct. 16, 1890 at Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy. She was stabbed repeatedly during a rape attempt when she refused to submit. In the hospital, St. Maria forgave the young man before dying of her wounds. She died on July 6, 1902, before her twelfth birthday.

St. Zita was born around 1212 in Monte Sagriti to a poor family. At age 12, Zita became a maid in a wealthy weaver's family at Lucca, Italy and remained in their employ for nearly 50 years. Her flexible schedule allowed her to serve the poor and sick. She died of natural causes in 1272.